Published: 15 June 2006
Sustainable behaviour targets for government estates
A range of new government sustainability targets, including a pledge that the Government office estate will go carbon neutral by 2012, have been announced by Environment Secretary David Miliband.
As part of its commitment to giving a lead on environmentally sustainable behaviour to business and consumers, the Government has set a target to reduce carbon emissions from the office based estate by 30% by 2020.
The Government has already introduced carbon offsetting for official air travel. This is for the office estate and covers all central Government departments and their agencies, wherever their offices are based in the UK.
The Government claims making the estate carbon neutral will save approximately 800,000 tonnes of carbon - the equivalent of filling the Albert Hall with carbon dioxide more than 20 times a day or taking over three quarters of a million cars off the road.
Mr Miliband was responding to a report published by the independent Sustainable Procurement Task Force, saying the Government would "put the UK on a more sustainable path", by improving the way it buys goods and runs its offices.
It would aim to be a leader in sustainable procurement in the EU by 2009.
Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell has agreed to ensure that every department within the UK Government responds effectively to the report's recommendations.
The Government claims to have already introduced 50 product specifications for sustainable goods and services which are available to Government procurers.
This will be extended to encourage market innovation and competition among suppliers to bring forward improved buildings, goods and services.
The Government is also setting new sustainability targets for its own estate in other areas:
· to recycle 75% of the waste by 2020
· to reduce the waste generated by 25% by 2020
· to reduce water consumption by 25% by 2020
· to increase energy efficiency by 30% per square metre by 2020
Further information
'Procuring the Future' - The Sustainable Procurement Task Force National Action Plan
Complete list of new operational targets
Defra - Sustainable Consumption and Production
UK Government Sustainable Development website
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